A comprehensive safety program for crane and hoist operations should include the following key elements: inspection, maintenance, and operator training.

Cranes must be visually inspected for defective components before the start of any work shift, and a preventive maintenance program should be established. [2]

Maintenance should follow the manufacturer's recommendations or those of a qualified person, with dated records kept available. Electrically-operated cranes must be effectively grounded. [4] [2]

Key aspects of crane and hoist maintenance include:

• Maintenance schedule and planned preventative maintenance
• Inspection and repair procedures
• Wire rope inspection and maintenance

[3] Operators must be trained and provided with the operator's manual for the specific crane they are operating. For construction-industry cranes of 5-ton capacity or greater, operators should be qualified and have a valid operator's card. [2]

Minimum training requirements for crane operators include:

• Movement to location
• Set-up, including extending stabilizers and outriggers
• Changing configuration, such as inserting boom sections, extensions, and jibs
• Checking for the safety of other persons before movement
• Safety precautions while the crane is unattended, in storage, or in transit

[1]

• Load estimation, including calculating load from material density and volume, and incorporating the weight of attachments
• Establishing crane capability, including understanding the effects of boom length, angle, and load radius
• Rigging, including inspection of ropes and rigging equipment, and understanding rigging slings and safety factors
• Signalling methods, including hand and radio signals

[1] Additionally, a preventative maintenance program must be established based on the crane/equipment manufacturer's recommendations. If these are unavailable, the recommendations of a qualified person must be followed, and dated records must be kept. [4]

When working with a diver, if a crane/equipment is used to get a diver into and out of the water, it must not be used for any other purpose until the diver is removed from the water. The operator must remain at the controls at all times. [4]

A critical lift plan is required when a critical lift occurs or when the proposed load handling activity exceeds standard lift plan criteria. The plan must be written or digital and on-site during the lift, including details about the load, crane/equipment, and rigging. [4]

Where any part of a crane/equipment is within the working radius of another crane/equipment, a multiple crane/equipment coordination plan must be instituted, developed, reviewed, and approved by all affected site supervisors. [5]